The Scottish Government

Project Name: PUBLIC NOTICES PORTAL

SRO: Paul Dowie,paul.dowie@improvementservice.org.uk , 01506 775558

PM: Gordon Nelson,

gordon.nelson@improvementservice.org.uk , 01506 775558

SE lead officer

Estimated Project Cost Development Costs: £858k, Ongoing Costs: £45k per annum

Estimated Start/End - May 2007/December 2008 (Pilot testing completed)

Background and context: What is the background to the project and the context in which it was established, what were the issues/drivers/opportunities which led to its inception- why?

• Work undertaken across the Scottish public sector in 2006 identified a key opportunity for efficiency gains and service improvements within public information notice (PIN) advertising. Local government have collectively identified a need to reduce advertising spend on public information notices, ensuring statutory requirements are met, and maintaining or improving the current provision of public notice information.

• The concept is to create a new channel of communication to local communities via the internet, enabling councils to provide local information regarding services such as road works, property developments and all other types of approved and proposed projects in a clear and easy to use format.

• Legislation change to eliminate the duty on Councils to publish public information notices in newspapers is required. COSLA and SOLAR are actively engaged in driving forward this change.

• A leading practice pack has been developed which questions the effectiveness of the way statutory notices are currently communicated to the public and highlights what can be done now to improve that effectiveness. This will be published to all councils in February 2008. The initial phase will see this leading practice in PIN advertising adopted through the use of composite adverts, and hyperlinks to more comprehensive information

• The launch date for the Public Notices portal has been set for August 2008 which will allow for a soft launch of the system with trialling councils while continuing to promote the site to other councils.

Objectives & Benefits -What are the aims/objectives/benefits & deliverables that the project is seeking to achieve, what improvements will there be as a result of this project - what?

• The project seeks to reduce local government spend on PIN advertising and improve provision of public notice information to citizens.

• Key Deliverables

- Advertising guidelines for publication of PINs

- A shared on-line Public Notices Portal available to all 32 councils

- Website launch

- Hosting & maintenance arrangements

- Sponsorship and ongoing funding arrangements

The project is seeking to achieve the following savings

• Reduced public notice advertising spend of £2.75m p.a.
• 5 Year NPV of £5 million, terminal NPV £53.7million

Improvements / Benefits as a result of this project will be:

• More accessible Public Notices
• Greater interactivity with citizens
• An enhanced image of local government.
• Generation of sponsorship benefits at a national level

Stakeholders and governance-Which organisations are involved in delivering the project, what are their roles and responsibilities, who is accountable? Who are the key stakeholders to whom the project is relevant?- who?

The interfaces for this project will be

• Local Government National Shared Services Board

• All 32 Scottish Local Authorities

• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)

• Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE)

• Scottish Society of Directors of Planning (SSDP)

• Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS)

• Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR)

• Scottish Government Shared Services and Funds Unit

Progress and Issues-What specific progress has been achieved to date ? -Milestones met/achievements?

Have any issues arisen causing delays in the work plan? Is project delivery still on schedule?

Risks-What are the main risks in terms of project management, stakeholder engagement and communications, delivery approach and benefits realisation? What can be done to mitigate against these risks?- what if?

Risks

Impact/Probability

Actions

Confusion/concern/misunderstanding around legal requirements prevents local authorities reducing existing advertising spend.

High / High

Seek expert legal advice. Gain local commitment to proposed solution. Work with key national stakeholders to gain support. Publish best practice to realise initial benefits

Political resistance to a reduction in support for local press may result in limited benefit realisation.

High / Medium

Include elected members in stakeholder management strategy. Engage with local press early.

National press may react adversely to initiative reducing political commitment

High / Medium

Engage constructively with national press early. Work with Scottish Executive and Local Government Communication communities to ensure clear message and minimise adverse press reactions